Mumbai

The iconic Gateway of India overlooks the Arabic Sea and dominates the port with its majestic figure. Built to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary in 1911, it is now a major draw for tourists thanks to the bustle filled with vendors and street food.

Architect of a form of non-violent civil disobedience, Gandhi was a spiritual and political leader whose influence stirred a nation, if not the world. The Gandhi Museum, once the house of the man who defined modern India, now preserves his memory by showing, every now and again, films about Gandhi and his speeches and guarding a library partly dedicated to his importance.

Being a polluted metropolis, Mumbai is, certainly, not renowned for crystal-water beaches and white sand, so swimming here should be avoided at all costs. Chowpatty Beach is a gathering point that, with its myriad stalls, offers street food and a nice backdrop for a leisure walk. At sunset, people flock down the quaint coastline that transforms itself into an open-air fair with pony rides, fortune tellers and local snacks.

Located in the heart of Mumbai, The Shree Siddhivinayak Ganapati Temple honours Lord Ganesh, the most revered god within the whole of India. Dating back to the 1800s, it features carved wooden doors at the entrance and an inner roof plated with gold, and the idol of Shree Siddhivinayak is carved out of a single black stone.

In the western outskirts of Mumbai, the Kanheri Caves are laid in the middle of the Sanjay Gandhi National Park. Carved out of rock mountains and with a history that dates back to the first century BC, they are existing proof of the Buddhist influence on India. The surrounding forest features an area full of waterfalls and local flora.

Located just behind Victoria Terminus, the largest GPO in India was completed in 1913. The imposing building is the template for the Indo-Saracenic architectural style and includes high vaulted ceilings and marble-topped tables in the interior.

Situated on a small hill in the southern part of the city, Malabar Hill represents one of the highest vantage points in central Mumbai. Surrounded by upmarket residential areas, it is home to the ruins of the world heritage Walkeshwar Temple, with almost a thousand years, is one of the most ancient temples in town. The popular Baganga Festival of Music is usually held here in January.

Inspired by the most revered figure of Jawaharlal Nehru, prime minister and leader of the Indian Independence movement, this artistic hub consists of a Planetarium and a permanent exhibition that covers every aspect of India's development and culture. Committed to promoting emerging artists, it also displays new talents, aiming to inspire new generations of young Indians. Special arrangements are made to watch, study and photograph solar and lunar eclipses, and many similar events.